Lenten Collection: Moldova

Moldova: Women's Shelter Ariadna

The theme for Caritas’ Lenten collection is Moldova. The proceeds from the collection will be used to assist the victims of human trafficking and domestic violence in Moldova. In additional to development aid, 10% of the collection will go towards domestic social aid within the parishes.

Support for victims of human trafficking and domestic abuse in Moldova

The Ariadna Women's Shelter is a safe haven for victims of human trafficking and domestic abuse as well as their children. The shelter is located in northern Moldova and is an example for the entire country of how women can be given the support they need to live independent lives. At Ariadna, women receive financial aid as well as legal assistance to put their lives in order. They also get psycho-social support to move on in their lives. The shelter has room for 10 women and their children. Caritas Finland has been supporting the Ariadna Women's Shelter since 2010.

Svenska Yle visited Moldova

Click on the images to watch and read the reports of Svenska Yle journalist Kerstin Kronvall from Ariadna in Moldova.

Image: screengrab from svenska.yle.fi

Image: screengrab from svenska.yle.fi

Don't miss our interview with Kerstin Kronvall about her trip to Moldova. Read it here.

Difficult situation in a poor country

Centre Ariadna offers a temporary place to stay and counselling to victims of trafficking or domestic abuse. In addition, the project provides information to prevent violence against women and human trafficking.

Moldova is a poor country with some 3.5 million inhabitants. Some one million of its adult, working-age population is seeking their livelihood outside the country's borders, particularly in neighbouring areas such as Italy and Russia. The risk for these people to become victims of human trafficking is big, particularly in the case of young women.

The situation is made worse by the fact that victims are often ostracised when they return to Moldova. In some cases, they are even shunned by their own families.

Moldova's first law against domestic violence came into force in 2008, which is why some people still don't see violence against women as a punishable offence.